We live in an imperfect world, and sickness is all around us. This is especially hard to bear when we or our loved ones are effected by a serious or deadly disease. God’s word can give us hope and encouragement in spite of the pain and sickness, so here are my top 7 comforting Bible Scriptures for the terminally ill.
2 Kings 20:1 “In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’”
The story of Hezekiah is one of the first recorded in the Bible of an individual being told that he had a short time to live. Hezekiah was one of the few good kings of Judah who loved God and served him whole-heartedly. Perhaps because of his faithfulness, the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to warn him of his impending death. The good news in this story is that after Hezekiah heard the news, he cried out to the Lord and asked him to save and extend his life. The Lord listened to his prayer, and 2 Kings 20:5 explains that Isaiah was told to “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord,” I believe that this is an encouraging word for anyone who has been given a terminal diagnosis, because God can heal any disease. He can also turn things around on our behalf when we cry out to him.
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
We will all confront death at some point in our lives—whether it is the loss of a loved one, or our own mortality. No matter what circumstances we face, this verse reminds us of God’s constant presence with us as we walk through the shadow of death. He is always with us, and he comforts us with his rod and staff, because he is with us continually, we do not have to be afraid of death or the unknown.
Psalm 139: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
This is a very encouraging passage written by the psalmist David, because it reminds us that it is the Lord who created us, and he has known us from our mother’s womb. He saw us from the beginning of time, and he has written all the days of our lives into his book of life. We live and exist because of his creative power, and he has a great destiny in mind for us.
Matthew 6:27 “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Receiving the news about a terminal illness or disease can be both frightening and devastating. However, as Christians we know that fear and anxiety go against everything that the Lord wants for us to experience. Worrying will not add a single hour to our lifespan, so we should avoid falling into that trap. Instead, we should follow the author’s advice written a few verses later in this same chapter that says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord and his Kingdom, no negative health report can keep us from reaching the blessings God has set for us.
John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
As Christians and followers of Christ, we are not restricted by any devastating health report. We can look beyond it to the Scriptures written here that give us hope and encouragement. The world will tell us that a terminal disease is a death sentence, and that our lives are over. But God tells us in this verse that if we hear his word and believe in Jesus, that we will have eternal life. Isn’t it so much more hopeful to know that as children of God we will no longer be judged for our sins, but rather we will pass from death to life?
Romans 8:6 “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Our thoughts will either build us up or tear us down. This verse reminds us that looking at the things of this earth and on our flesh will only lead us to death. However, even if we have been given a terminal diagnosis, we can set our mind on the Spirit of God, and we will be blessed with an abundant life full of peace. Our physical bodies will experience pain, frailty, and discouragement, but when we focus our thoughts on Christ then our spirit is lifted above the hardships and soars into a place of peace and hope.
Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
The apostle Paul faced beatings, sickness, and even death numerous times in his lifetime. He knew what it was to have plenty and also to have lack and loss, because he had experienced it all. So I believe that this verse is the ultimate encouragement for anyone facing the end of their life. As Christians, we can agree with Paul’s statement here, and know that to live is an acknowledgement of God’s amazing love and power evident in our lives, but to die is also gain. Once we leave this earthly realm, we will be able to go to heaven and spend a glorious eternity with the trinity away from the pain and suffering we experience here. That is an exciting aspect of death that we can look forward to.
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Conclusion
The truth of the matter is that we are all terminal, and all of our days are numbered. But for anyone receiving the news from their doctor that they have a deadly disease or illness, it is much more real. This diagnosis can be devastating and terrifying unless you have a relationship with the Lord, because as Christians we can always turn to God in our time of trouble. Like Hezekiah, we could pray and be blessed with an extension to our life. Whatever the outcome, though, as followers of Christ we know that he is always with us to take away our fear, to carry us during the hard times, and to provide us with hope for our eternal future with him.
Written by Karla Hawkins
I am very grateful to be a Christian author, editor and translator. Some of my favorite pastimes include traveling, and connecting with family and friends via social media. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and especially with my precious three-year-old grandson.
www.patheos.com
Receiving the news that you have a terminal illness, such as cancer can be devastating. As believer’s we want to believe that God has a purpose in our affliction. We can look to the Bible for inspiration when we know someone who is suffering or we ourselves have been diagnosed with cancer. I pray these Bible verses will inspire you as you wait on the Lord for peace, courage, comfort and deliverance.
God is Big; Comfort & Rest for the Restless
Deuteronomy 31:6 “ …Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Psalms 138:3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God is Faithful; Calm for the Anxious
Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalms 33:20-22 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
God is Trustworthy; He Has a Plan for You
Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also…”
God is Hope; Even When it Seems Hopeless
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Resources: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. “Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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In times of suffering from terminal illness, looking to the Lord is the best way to offer comfort and spiritual healing. Here is a look at some great prayers for the terminally ill that may help to offer some perspective and comfort.
Prayer #1
Lord Jesus, you overpowered
the control that sickness had
by curing people of their illnesses.
Those who were disabled
were freed to walk again.
You calmed the sea
and showed that you had control
even over nature.
You rose to a new way of living
and showed that not even death
had power over you.
With your power in our lives,
everything that happens to us
can be turned to good.
And so I ask you this day
to help me to transform my difficulties
and draw goodness
out of what is negative in my life,
knowing that there is nothing
in life or in death
that can ever separate me
from your love. Amen.
Prayer #2
I thank you, Father,
for the touch of your hand
on the clay of the earth
that formed my body,
and for the breath of your Spirit
giving life to my flesh.
I thank you, Father,
that you so loved our world
that you sent your Son
to live fully amongst us:
Jesus, your Word made flesh,
whose image you see
whenever you look at us.
Lead me now to treasure
what is most deeply human,
and grow in my remaining time
as the person
you call me to be.
Prayer #3
Lord Jesus,
I can think of your people down the ages
who have travelled over life’s stormy sea
and, in dying, have reached the harbour
of peace, light and happiness.
As you calmed the sea,
I ask you to be with me
and bring peace in my life each day,
because the boat of my own life
is small
and the ocean is very large.
As you have set my course,
I ask you to steer my life
towards the shore of everlasting life.
Brings me, at last,
along with all who are dear to me,
to the quiet rest that I seek,
where you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer #4
Almighty Lord, Physician of souls and bodies, You humble
and lift up, You reprimand and heal, visit N. with your mercy
for she is suffering. Stretch forth Your arm which is so full of
healing and health, and cure him/her, raising him/her from
his/her bed and pain. Reprove the spirit of weakness which
is in him/her and drive far from him/her pain, wounds, chills,
fever and weakness. If he/she has sins or transgressions,
loosen, remit and forgive them in Your love for mankind. O
Lord, have compassion on Your creation, in Christ Jesus our
Lord, with whom You are blessed, together with Your all holy,
good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of
ages.
Prayer #5
O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we
pray to You for Your servant N. whose sickness is bringing
him/her to the end of his/her earthly life. You are the God
whose only-begotten Son taught us that not even the
smallest sparrow can fall without Your knowledge, and that
You hold all creation in Your merciful arms. Look upon Your
servant N. and allow this illness to be for the death only of
those things which are the result of evil and sin. Let his/her
thoughts be quieted with the peace and confidence of his/
her final deliverance into the fullness of Your love. Keep his/
her soul and body pure, and sanctify them during the time
he/she remains among us, that on the last day he/she may
be raised up with all Your saints to live with You in neverending
glory. For to You belong praise and worship, to the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen
Prayer #6
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, for the sake of Your most holy
wounds, hear our prayer and forgive all the transgressions of
Your humble servant, N. At the moment of his/her death,
accept into Your merciful bands his/her soul cleansed of all
stains of sin, and place him/her with Your Saints in the
resplendent light of Your kingdom. For You are our salvation
and redemption, and we give glory to You, together with Your
eternal Father, and Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving
Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Here is a look at some evening vespers being shared that are dedicated to those that are terminally ill.
About the Author of this Blog Post Crystal Ayres has served as our editor-in-chief for the last five years. She is a proud veteran, wife and mother. The goal of ConnectUs is to publish compelling content that addresses some of the biggest issues the world faces. If you would like to reach out to contact Crystal, then go here to
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